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Dallas, TX October 29, 2008 -- Families will gasp for breath at the Big Squeeze Off between boas and pythons at this year'ss Reptile Fest at the Museum of Nature 's38; Science (MNS) among many other fun exhibits, shows and hands-on activities. Kids will also be able to collect free reptile trading cards around the museum while supplies last. Beautifully illustrated pictures on one side will be complemented with fascinating facts on the back.
Reptile Fest is a two-day event exploring the mysterious and misunderstood world of snakes, lizards, turtles and other reptiles presented by local wildlife and reptile experts and is
sponsored by GEICO and the Junior League of Dallas. The fun happens Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 9, noon to 5 p.m.
They move without legs and hear without ears, change colors and shed their skin, they can'st close their eyes, and they'sre more scared of you than you should be of them. Snakes - and
other reptiles - are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth, and joining us at Reptile Fest is a great way to learn to love them, said Steve Hinkley, MNS education director.
Hinkley says that the annual Reptile Fest emphasizes audience participation with crafts, hands-on demonstrations and other activities that engage visitors rather than simply making them
spectators.
For example, the Big Squeeze Off of boas vs. pythons features a variety of those snakes from six continents within a sports theme. The 45-minute show is presented by the experts from
Wildlife on the Move in a fun, entertaining, and educational manner for all ages and it includes an opportunity for select audience members to assist the presenters on stage, as well as a
time for everyone to touch an animal at the conclusion of the mighty competition.
Reptile Fest will include activities and seminars to educate museum guests about what makes reptiles different from other animals in nature; the social responsibility people have in
keeping these animals as pets; and the environmental impacts people place on the reptile habitat.
In addition to presentations from Wildlife on the Move and the Dallas Herpetological Society, families can experience reptile life with the help of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turtle and
Tortoise Club, Heard Natural Science Museum 's38; Wildlife Sanctuary, and others, which will lead hands-on activities where guests can touch reptiles and watch how they move. Kids will
delight in making reptile crafts or getting a reptile tattoo.
The education goal of Reptile Fest is to shed fears and common misconceptions about reptiles and to help the public gain understanding and appreciation for these amazing animals.
Admission is free for members. Non-members: adults $8.75; children 3 to 11 $5.50; youths 12 to 18, students over 18 and seniors 62 and older with ID $7.75.
A complete activities and times list is attached. Photos and more can be downloaded directly from our online newsroom. To access it:
1) Go to https://promotesuccesspr.sharedwork.com
2) Enter in the Email address box: mns
3) Enter in the Password box: fairpark
About the Museum of Nature 's38; Science:
The Museum of Nature 's38; Science, formerly the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children'ss Museum, is a non-profit educational organization located in
Dallas's Fair Park. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, MNS delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor experiences through its education,
exhibition and research and collections programming for students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The MNS campus includes the TI Founders IMAX's174; Theater and a cutting-edge
digital planetarium. The museum is supported in part by funds from the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, the Texas Commission on the Arts and EDS. To learn more visit www.natureandscience.org.